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Dick Van Dyke’s Funny Family

A famed comedic actor revisits his path from Illinois to Broadway, TV and film

Updated Oct. 16, 2015 1:06 p.m. ET

Actor-comedian Dick Van Dyke, 89, starred in Broadway’s “Bye Bye Birdie,” his own TV sitcom and in more than 20 films. He is author of “Keep Moving and Other Tips About Aging” (Weinstein). He spoke with Marc Myers.

I originally wanted to be a magician. When I was young, my friend next door and I ordered magic kits for 50 cents. I stood for hours in front of my mirror practicing sleight-of-hand, but after earning $3 performing locally, I gave up. I was too nervous.